Íslensku jólasveinarnir
Icelandic Santa's
In Iceland there are 13 Santas, sometimes called Yule Lads, but in Icelandic called "Jólasveinar"
The first Santas appeared in the 17th century as the sons of the two trolls,
Grýla and Leppalúði are terribly frightening creatures, and had a reputation for stealing and eating naughty children. When stories about the Jólasveinar first appeared, they were frightening creatures just like their parents. Over the years, they have become milder, gentler creatures and are now just plain fun to be around.
The Icelandic Santas come to town one by one, and start arriving 13 days before Christmas. Each one would do their best to cause minor havoc on Christmas preparations.
Stekkjastaur - Sheep-Cot-Clod
The first one to arrive is Sheep-Cot-Clod
He loves to suck milk from the sheep, but his stiff legs make that very difficult.
Arrives on Dec. 12th - Leaves on Dec. 25th
Giljagaur - Gully Gawk
The Second to arrive is the infamous Gully Gawk
He has a taste for the froth on the milk and keeps close to the cows.
Arrives on Dec. 13th - Leaves on Dec. 26th
Stúfur - Shorty
The third is the yule lad Shorty
Small and nimble and smacks his lips over the leftovers in the cooking pans, especially if they are burnt or gone bad.
Arrives on Dec. 14th - Leaves on Dec. 27th
Þvörusleikir - Ladle Licker
Then there is Ladle Licker
So thin he resembles the ladles which he licks the food from.
Arrives on Dec. 15th - Leaves on Dec. 28th
Pottasleikir - Pot Scraper
The fifth to arrive is Pot Scraper, he snatches the unwashed pots from the kitchen and scrapes the insides with his fingers and tongue and leaves them quite clean.
Arrives on Dec. 16th - Leaves on Dec. 29th
Askasleikir - Bowl Licker
Number six is Bowl Licker, very cunningly finds bowls that have been left unattended and finishes all food from them.
Arrives on Dec. 17th - Leaves on Dec. 30th
Hurðaskellir - Door Slammer
The seventh to arrive is Door Slammer, he gets his kicks from slamming doors and making noise, using every chance he gets to disturb peoples sleep.
Arrives on Dec. 18th - Leaves on Dec. 31st
Skyrgámur - Skyr Gobbler
Then the number eight is Skyr Gobbler, dairy products are his favorite and if stored in closed containers he simply breaks through the lid with his fist.
Arrives on Dec. 19th - Leaves on Jan. 1st
Bjúgnakrækir - Sausage Swiper
Ninth to arrive is the great Sausage Swiper, very skilful when it comes to climbing up into the rafters to steal sausages where they hang after being smoked.
Arrives on Dec. 20th - Leaves on Jan 2nd
Gluggagægir - Window Peeper
Then number ten there is the not so popular Window Peeper, he flattens his nose against every window to glimpse something to steal or at peoples actions inside.
Arrives on Dec. 21st - Leaves on Jan. 3rd
Gáttaþefur - Door Sniffer
The eleventh to drop by is Door Sniffer, he has a huge nose and sniffes out his favorite food, fried bread, wherever it is being made.
Arrives on Dec. 22nd - Leaves on Jan. 4th
Ketkrókur - Meat Hook
The twelfth to drop by is Meat Hook, he has a long pole with a hook on the end to put down the chimneys and into the meat hung on the rafters.
Arrives on Dec. 23th - Leaves on Jan. 5th
Kertasníkir - Candle Begger
And the last to come the thirteenth one, is Candle Beggar, he loves candles of all sorts and can't make up his mind whether to eat them or watch their lovely light.
Arrives on Dec. 24th - Leaves on Jan. 6th
Today, children leave their shoes on their window sills in hope to get a little gift from one of the Santa's. Any children who have been naughty may get nothing in their shoe, or only a potato or some other reminder that a good behavior is essential around Christmas.
Grýla
Leppalúði